Trojans stalled in loss to unbeaten Moses Lake

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

POST FALLS — At times on Friday, the Trojans showed flashes of a team capable of getting to the state 6A playoffs.

That will be determined in the coming weeks.

Other times, Post Falls looked the part of a team on its third quarterback trying to find an identity once again.

Post Falls senior running back Brandon Felix broke a 35-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 14-7, but the Trojans fell to the Moses Lake Mavericks 42-7 in a nonleague football game at Trojan Stadium.

“I thought our defense played really well against a really good Moses Lake team,” Post Falls coach Blane Bennett said. “We’re going to have to figure out some things because seven points isn’t going to cut it in games around here. We’ve got to do a good job of evaluating what we can do and make sure we can put some points on the board.”

Post Falls (3-4) opens 6A Inland Empire League play next Friday at Coeur d’Alene.

“I’m excited about our last two games,” Bennett said. “Now it’s league time, and we’ve got to have a great week of practice and get ready for Coeur d’Alene.”

Moses Lake (6-0) led 14-0 after the first quarter on a pair of touchdown passes by Brady Jay, a Montana commit.

Felix broke down the left sideline on the first play of the second quarter for Post Falls, which completed only three passes in the game.

“I thought we did some good things tonight, but we’ve got to be more consistent,” Bennett said. “Getting first downs is OK, but we’ve got to get some points on the board.”

Jay threw for 388 yards and six touchdowns.

“They do a really good job of throwing the ball around the entire field,” Bennett said. “They do a good job of matching up with their receivers. They’ve got five wide receivers and Brady runs around really well and gets the ball out of his hands. They’ve got a plan and they executed well.”

Post Falls was driving late in the first half, but turned the ball over at midfield on a fumble, allowing Moses Lake to score on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Jay to Carter Anderson, one of five touchdown receptions in the game.

“If we don’t give them that score before the half, it’s 21-7,” Bennett said. “We came out of the half and did a good job in that third quarter. There’s some things to build on, and I’m excited about that.”

Felix finished with 85 yards rushing for Post Falls.

Moses Lake    14    14    7    7    —    42

Post Falls    0    7    0    0    —    7

First quarter 

ML — Carter Anderson 26 pass from Brady Jay (Case Anderson kick), 9:50.

ML — Grant Smith 21 pass from Jay (Case Anderson kick), 5:35.

Second quarter

PF — Brandon Felix 35 run (Bradyn Singleton kick), 11:52.

ML — Carter Anderson 3 pass from Jay (Case Anderson kick), 4:33.

ML — Carter Anderson 9 pass from Jay (Case Anderson kick), :33.

Third quarter

ML — Carter Anderson 8 pass from Jay (Case Anderson kick), 1:51.

Fourth quarter

ML — Carter Anderson 9 pass from Jay (Case Anderson kick), 7:23.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

RUSHING — ML, Jay 1-13, Burns 11-76, Lamb 1-4, Remigio 2-3. PF, Felix 20-85, Tomlinson 14-37, Kern 1-2.

PASSING — ML, Jay, 31-54-0-388. PF, Reese, 3-11-0-22.

RECEIVING — ML, Burns 9-57, Anderson 7-82, Huberdeau 7-172, Car. Anderson 7-82, Rainey 1-11. PF, Matthews 2-22, Carver 1-9.

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Post Falls senior running back Brandon Felix attempts to break a tackle and cut upfield as Moses Lake strong safety Grant Smith (13) reaches for the ball in the fourth quarter of Friday's nonleague game at Trojan Stadium.